Saturday, February 13, 2016 - Cusco, Peru

Saturday, February 13th we arrived in Cusco on time. 

The goal this day was two-fold. First, most of us had not slept any all night. So we needed to stay awake all day so we would be regulated to our time zone. Now, the reality is that Peru is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone just like Kentucky. Shouldn't have been a problem for Claude and me. However, we added the curve of going to California which is in the Pacific Time Zone or 3 hours earlier than Kentucky. The second goal was to begin acclimation to 11,700 feet above sea level. Both worthy goals. 

We went directly to our hotel where, miracle of miracles, our rooms were ready. We were allowed a few minutes to get to our hotel room and unwind before going down to breakfast. The idea was to have breakfast and then meet in the lobby at 10am for a walking tour of Cusco.

Outside our room window was this neat view. There was a big open hole like space outside our window. Someone had put good soil in the bottom for gardening. They also lined the walls with rain gutters and filled them with soil. These became gutter gardens for little herbs and veggies. Clever people those Peruvians. Very clever.

At breakfast we were introduced to a tea that would help us to deal with potential altitude sickness. This tea is from the plant used to make cocaine. Hmmmmm...We were cautioned to only drink a cup with breakfast and one with dinner. Claude said it tasted like alfalfa. He was raised on a beef farm and would be familiar with alfalfa. I just knew that two packets of sugar made it palatable. As it turned out, we had one cup with our breakfast that morning and didn't take any more. We handled the altitude pretty well. A few little headaches. Claude had some chest pressure one morning. No nausea. Only the extra breathing because of less oxygen when walking up any type of hill or incline. I am sure that we spent two days in Cusco to acclimate before going to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is not as high an altitude as Cusco. This was a surprise to me. Always thought this was reversed. Live and learn, live and learn.

So, we all gathered in the lobby of our hotel and started our walk...up a hill... along Avenue of the Sun to the Temple of the Sun. We took our time. No race for this first walk. We would walk a block and stop for everyone to get their breath. Then walk another block. This picture of the street had the first of the many terraces we would see in Peru. This is how the Inca farmed. If you look at the hill in the distance you can tell there are terraces up it for farming.

At the top of the hill we found the Temple of the Sun.

Okay, this looks very Catholic and very Spanish. Not at all like an Incan temple. That is because the Inca Temple of the Sun was built on this hill first. Then the Spanish conquered and worked to change the religion to Catholicism, they simply built over the Incan Temple. Behind Claude and I is a red brick structure that is a Catholic museum with the while portion is a convent. Under the roof of the brick building is the preserved structure of the Temple of the Sun. The grassy area behind of us a huge lawn area. When the Inca were there, this field would have had lots of different gold life-sized replicas of animals. It would have been pretty amazing to see that temple covered with gold and the animals made of pure gold. 

Claude is standing in the first doorway of the Temple of the Sun. Claude is 6 feet tall so you get perspective as to size by putting him in lots of pictures. All the openings of the Inca buildings had doors and windows and structures that were trapezoid in shape. This gave strength to the structures. There is also no mortar used to hold the stones together in the walls. Each block has cut out places in different shapes. These are matched with protrusions in the stone next to or on top of it. Samples of these blocks will be in a later picture.  

Love this picture looking through the windows in three rooms.  

This picture is the smallest stone carved by the Inca. Another day we would be shown the largest stone carved by the Inca.  

Franklin was our Peruvian guide. Our group totaled 44 people. We were divided into two buses at the airport and titled Bus 1 and Bus 2. Each bus had its own tour guide. Franklin was a great guide. He helped us get a nickname 'Cuy'. This is the Spanish word for guinea pig. Guinea pigs are a staple of the local diet. Yuk!! Franklin was with us all the time we were in Peru. In the picture above you can see half of the Temple of the Sun behind Franklin. In the picture below Franklin is showing us some of the sample stones used in Incan construction and how they were carved differently to match and hold secure without mortar. 

Remember the Inca Temple of the Sun has a Catholic building over the top. This picture is the building over it and the courtyard in the middle of the structure. The original Temple of the Sun was built with a building on either side and a courtyard in the middle. This Cathlic museum fit perfectly over the Temple of the Sun. There were beautiful hanging flowers that looked like pink roses coming from the second story arches. Lining the walls of the lower halls were enormous religious paintings. We were not allowed to photograph these.

After touring this building, we were on the move again, hiking to the Plaza de Armas. This is a picture of the street with a little gutter running down the middle.

At the Plaza de Armas we encountered a mother and daughter in traditional attire with a goat. For a dollar they would pose for you to take their picture. Several in our group had their picture taken and we had handed our camera over to another in our group to take our picture. I really wanted the traditional clothing. However, the police had a different idea. Turns out they don't want them plying their trade there. The mother and daughter went around a corner. I looked at Claude and he looked at me. He could tell I really wanted that picture. We waited for a minute and then went around the corner and happily found the mother and daughter and goat waiting till they could get back on that block again. Instead of a picture of Claude and I with them, Claude took the camera, I took the goat and Claude got this picture of me with them. Look at their beautiful faces. I just loved the dress and the face structure of these people. Wonder what they thought of my gray hair, face with wrinkles and lighter skin. 

That was it for our forced hike. We were now ready for more food and beverage. We were set free to find the place we wanted to eat and then roam at will or wander back down the hill to our hotel. They had kept us awake until early afternoon. We had gotten a little used to the altitude. So we were basically in good shape. 

Claude and I chose a pizza place and dined on a Peruvian version of pizza. No Mello Yello in Peru. They only had Coke products and water bottles. Alan and his wife came in to eat and he ordered this fun beverage made by the Coca Cola company. It is a soda pop and tastes like a cream soda. A bit stronger but that is the flavor. Not a bad beverage. 

After lunch we wandered around the Plaza de Armas. I got some fun video of a little boy chasing the pigeons and laughing. Shared it with Papa today and he totally enjoyed it. These are a couple pictures of the Plaza de Armas.

Then we wandered slowly down the street to our hotel. Across the street from the hotel was a Mercado. It was full of stalls with all kinds of craft items. It also had a little grill area for dining. We spent some time roaming through it and getting a feel for types of items we might purchase for souvenirs for our family. Back to our hotel and rest a bit before dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Our server was just so cute. He was older and you could tell he had lots of experience. He expected us to order something from the bar to go with our dinner. We don't drink so that wasn't happening. We ordered a bottle of water each. He smiled and came back out with a bottle of water. He laid this across his arm and showed it to me just like it was a nice bottle of fine wine. Then he smiled with that question on his face for my approval the vintage was okay. I grinned and assured him that was exactly what we wanted. He poured a little into my glass and then did the same for Claude. This was our anniversary and it was a sweet moment over our dinner. The food was excellent and we were happy with our first day in Cusco.

Just a comment here...we had the same rules we had when traveling in Egypt. We were only to drink bottled water. We were not to open our mouths in the shower. We were to only use bottled water for brushing our teeth. No salads as the greens would have been washed in the water. Only fruits that could be peeled to eat. Eat soups and cooked foods. Why? They process their water with different chemicals than we are used to in the States. The water is okay, our bodies just can't handle the chemicals. It really messes up the tummy. The same is true for them when they come to America. 

Travelin' Again...

We hit the road for our big 'out of the country' trip in February. I will create a post for each day of the trip to keep it all as easy to Blog about as possible. Our destinations were Peru and Guatemala. We would travel with our favorite travel guide, Alan McKay. This would be our fourth tour with Alan. That does mean we love traveling with him. It's always a full trip and this would be no exception. Lots of adventure as well.

We left our home for the Louisville airport Thursday, February 11th. Our practice is to leave the day prior to meeting a tour group so we have wiggle room for flight connections that just might be off. We flew to Las Vegas and stayed on the same plane to get to Los Angeles.

While walking to our gate in the Louisville airport, we passed Colonel Sanders. It just seemed appropriate to pause for a picture just as we left Kentucky.

There is renovation construction in the terminal. This sign was across from us as we waited. I looked at it for a while and realized it might not be the best message before flying across the country.

We did well on the Louisville to Las Vegas leg of the flight. These are pictures of the land around Las Vegas from the airplane as we were landing. We do live in an amazing country.

We changed to an exit row before the next batch of passengers boarded to go to Los Angeles. That flight also went well. We arrived and called the hotel to send their shuttle. We had a nice room. But I really loved the Bird of Paradise flowers on the property.

That night we dined in the Denny's attached to our hotel. I ordered a Mello Yello soda. Since we were going to Spanish speaking countries, we had tried to learn a few more words of Spanish. As I looked at the Mello Yello beverage my mind remember that amarillo is the word for yellow but I didn't know a word for mellow. Our server was definitely of Spanish decent. I asked him if he could tell me the word for mellow. He could not. He went to the kitchen and asked around and returned with this little nugget.  Mello Yello in Spanish would be 'amarillo suave'. I just had to chuckle. 

We were able to get a really good night's sleep in preparation for meeting the rest of our group the next day. We made the connection and then prepared to fly through the night to Cusco, Peru. We would arrive at 6:45am on Saturday, February 13th. That good night's rest would be put to good use in starting off right.

Shower Power...

This is the very best shower cleaner I have ever used. I first saw it on Facebook and saved the recipe. Claude bought me an empty spray bottle and the special vinegar needed. Use only 'cleaning vinegar'. Claude got it at Walmart. Only use the 'blue' Dawn dish liquid. The recipe says to heat the vinegar before mixing it with the dish liquid. I did not do that and made a full spray bottle so I wouldn't have to make it every time I wanted to use it. Still works great. Mix equal parts vinegar and Dawn.

Nine if Fine...

Sunday, February 7th, we winded our way to LaGrange, Kentucky for a quick visit. Miss Bailey had a birthday coming up and Sunday afternoon was the time we could get there to give her presents.

She was very happy we were coming. Andie had prepped her that we might not get there until later in the month. Bailey's response, "It's okay mom. I know Pa is the Mayor and is very busy." On my goodness, what a sweet reply. 

We left right after Claude finished visiting the Pioneer Ward. We found the Marx family all tucked in their home. Very cold here again. Bailey had a sleepover the night before for her party. We were the beneficiaries of left over pizza for lunch. Yum. 

Bailey wanted to open her presents from us. Her mom said it was okay with her if it was okay with us. We assured her that was why we came. So the present opening began.

Girls Scout cookies are a tradition in our family. Bailey was very happy to receive her Tagalongs. We gave her scrunchies for her hair, a pair of fun shoes and a Visa gift card. The fun expression is her opening a gift that she just doesn't understand. Hayden explained it to her and she was very happy. Then she tried on her shoes and I asked her for a 'shoe model pose'. This was what I got.

Bailey was to get pierced ears from her mom and dad. Andie called Claire's to be sure they had two people on duty so each ear could be done at the same time. This is a good thing. Cuts out a lot of the anxiety over having someone poke a hole in your ears. Hayden wanted a stop at Barnes and Noble for a book he really wanted and had saved up for. We were off. First to Barnes and Noble where Hayden quickly found his book. Then a stop at the car to pick up Wah Wah. This is Bailey's stuffed monkey. We gave it to her when she was born. While he is not carried all the time anymore, he is still a source of comfort on those special occasions where you need a little extra comfort. Then a quick walk across the parking lot to Claire's.

Turns out someone the Marx family knows had a daughter getting her ears pierced just before Bailey. This young girl looked to be about 12 or 13 years old. She was a nervous wreck. Lots of 'O's' and panicky moving of hands and arms while saying, "A childhood phobia!" repeated.  Andie said this is where Bailey's inability to focus for long periods of time is a good thing, she was clueless about this girls reaction. 

Bailey hopped right up when it was her turn. She asked them if they would teach her how to clean them, she asked if the cleaner they showed her would be hers to take home, and she picked out a cute pair of her birthstone earrings. She kept Wah Wah on her lap and closed her eyes and stayed real still. Voila! It was done.

When we got back to the Marx home we had left over cupcakes and ice cream.

Can't believe how grown up Bailey is getting. So happy we get to share in these moments.

In Search of RJ...

A most significant first for Claude and I occurred on Friday, January 22nd.  Raelyn Jay Roper was born. She is our first great grandmonster. We told Katelyn we would be up to see her after she was born. We would accomplish this when little Miss RJ was one week old. 

We left Thursday afternoon for Chelsea, Michigan. We would meet Jake at Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. As we arrived the snow was coming down. It did not promise to not be a big snow storm. Just a small one with some good winds. We enjoyed a great meal and then went to Jake's apartment. Claude made a shoe shelf for Jake for Christmas. It was finished. We delivered that to the apartment.  

Then we all settled in to our hotel room for a nice long visit. Love these times with Jake. 

Friday, January 29th we drove directly to Grand Haven to find Katelyn, Drew and Raelyn home and ready to play. It was so much fun to cuddle this new little bundle of life. Here are are few pictures from the first visit.

We told Katelyn and Drew we would treat to lunch if they wanted to go to the Pita Place. They were ready to go. So Raelyn was dressed and bundled up and away we went to Muskegon to enjoy a gyro for Claude and a falafel for me. Yummy. Here is Raelyn at her first restaurant outing. She slept the entire time.

Todd was not feeling great. So, instead of going to the Tyler home, we all went to the hotel and I checked Claude and me into our room. Claude got that much desired 'baby napping on the chest' time he was so hoping to get.

Then, miracle of miracles, Claude took Katelyn out to look for her rocking chair. He set a tradition with buying a rocker for the mom after the first baby.  This meant...I got to have Raelyn to myself. She was sleeping in the middle of the bed. I took a lot of pictures and some video when she wiggled. 

We would spend the evening at Nissa and Todd's home with Aubrey, Katelyn and Drew. And, of course, Raelyn. We ordered pizza and had a grand old family time.

Saturday we took Aubrey to Big Apple Bagel for breakfast. 

Then we drove to Grand Haven and took Paul to lunch.

After a nice visit and lunch we took Paul to Katelyn's home to meet Raelyn. He was so happy to see her. 

These two are Katelyn making a Raelyn face. Fun watching her be a mommy.

These are more Raelyn pictures.

We took Paul  home and Claude and I went to the Mall. Katelyn mentioned a baby book she really wanted. She had a book to record her pregnancy. The same person made a baby book and Katelyn wanted it for Raelyn. She didn't ask us to get it. We just did.  We also went to Meijer's to get a bunch of diapers for Raelyn. Little things that might help a little bit.

We all met at Nissa and Todd's home. We wanted some generation pictures. But first...more Raelyn pictures. Lovin' the Ugg books. 

Then time for the family pictures. First the little family: Katelyn Raelyn & Drew.

Four generation: Claude, Katelyn, Raelyn & Nissa. 

Great Grandparents: Sandi, Claude, Katelyn and Raelyn. 

Sandi, Nissa, Katelyn, Raelyn. 

Katelyn and Drew were off to visit friends. Aubrey went to work. Nissa, Todd, Claude and I went to dinner together. What a treat to have dinner with our daughter and her hubby. Todd is slowing healing from his cancer surgery. He is healing and they believe all the cancer was removed. Treasure every moment.

Sunday morning we met at Big Apple Bagel for one final breakfast together. Then Claude and I drove to Chelsea to have lunch with Jake before heading home.

It was a wonderful visit. Did you notice how much food was involved? We ate so much more than Claude and I usually eat. But it was fun to share those moments with family. And, to welcome Miss Raelyn Jay Roper to our family.